Editorial Note

The Journal editorial team understands that it has not been easy for academics, researchers as well as research industry worldwide to conduct research the traditional way. Lockdowns and restrictions resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic have produced a number of ethical challenges for research, that should be considered carefully. With all challenges brought by the pandemic, it is interesting to note that, there is still brave researchers who managed to craft, write and submit articles for publications.

Film Production And Economic Performance: Should South Africa Invest In Movies?

The movie industry is increasingly recognised as a possible avenue for improving economic performance. This study focuses on film production and its influence on South African economic growth (per capita income and employment between 1970 and 2020). Our autoregressive lag distributive (ARDL) estimates on a loglinearised endogenous growth model augmented with creative capital indicate that the production of movies has no significant effects on long-run GDP growth, per capita GDP and employment. The baseline regressions find a short-run positive and significant influence of film production on per capita income and are devoid of long-run effects. However, re-estimating the regressions with interactive terms between movie production and i) government spending ii) foreign direct investment, improve the significance of film regression coefficients which all turn positive and significant, for government spending, and negative for foreign direct investment. Our results indicate that foreign investment crowds out domestic investment whilst government investment in movies is growth-enhancing.

Media Jihad Conundrum in Nigeria: A Review of Military-Media Relations vis-à-vis Boko Haram

The purpose of this paper is to explore the conundrum in military-media relations in Nigeria with regards to access and dissemination of strategic and tactical information that impacts counterterrorism efforts. Is there a line between media responsibility to report and the gathering and dissemination of strategic and tactical military information not meant for public consumption but filters to terrorists who are also members of the 'public'? Most times, such publications potentially afford Boko Haram terrorists prior notice of military plans, giving them early warnings that compromise military counter offensive. The paper is based on a study of academic and grey literature, official documents and journalistic coverage. The paper concludes that the Nigerian security forces have tried and failed to clamp down on tactical and strategic information in media reports that compromise its counterterrorism efforts in Nigeria – therefore the state should consider adopting Sri Lankan consequentialist approach to the existential problem. To address this conundrum, it is recommended that the Nigerian authority and its military architecture should adopt a State Consequential Approach on Terrorism and media issues; re-invent its Strategic Communication; Re-establishment of security and intelligence coordination; Develop an image recovery plan by raising quality standards, seek foreign support, and enact terrorism-related media legislations.

The Effects of Social Media News on Human Psychology: A Narrative Literature Review

This paper analysed the effect of social media news on human psychology during pandemic outbreaks by applying narrative literature review procedures. Social media is an online platform whereby people interact and share vital information, including human health issues. Health organisations, workers, and individuals use social media platforms on Websites 2.0 such as WhatsApp, Skype, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and many others to communicate and share health information with the public. Web 2.0 intensified user-generated content over the Internet, while 3.0 revolutionised information sharing in making the world information-oriented. Social media platforms such as Web 2.0 and 3.0 continually nourish the human mind and thoughts with positive and negative news during pandemic outbreaks. The absorbed nourishments affect human psychology positively or negatively. To achieve the aim of this paper, a narrative literature review (NLR) was deployed in evaluating some academic literature documents in seeking to understand the effects of social media news on human psychosocial well-being. This paper revealed an insightful positive effect of social media news on human psychology during pandemic outbreaks, in stimulating the human mind and creating a positive action and feeling. At the same time, the negative effects of social media news create fears, anxiety, tension, panic, and many others in the users‘ minds during the health crisis period.

Media and Democracy: Is Conventional Media Performing the Role of the Fourth Estate of the Realm?

Arguments have emanated on the roles of conventional media in the strengthening of democracy, good governance, and human development in a democratic society. This study discussed and evaluated the conventional media role as the "fourth estate of the realm" by functioning as defenders, watchdogs and providers of accurate information in a democratic society. Social Responsibility Theory, a version of free press theory, was used to underpin the study by providing examples of how the media's actions can affect a democratic society. The study adopted a meta-analysis approach by reviewing numerous published research studies to clarify the role of conventional media as the fourth estate. The content analysis of the reviewed literature revealed that conventional news media roles as check and balance, watch-dogs and adversary have been jeopardised. New media is now strengthened with the ability to displace conventional media as "the fourth estate".

Tourists' Perspectives on Brand Image and Brand Loyalty of KwaZulu-Natal

Destinations with strong brands will possibly perform better and hold more value than destinations with unbranded offerings. As sub-Saharan Africa's tourism destinations are becoming increasingly similar, competition among them has become very intense. This research aims to measure tourists' perceptions of KwaZulu-Natal destinations' brand image and brand loyalty. A questionnaire survey of 411 respondents revealed that most tourists are attached to the KwaZulu-Natal destination and will likely return. Furthermore, they are willing to recommend KwaZulu-Natal as a preferred tourism destination to their family and friends. Therefore, it is recommended that KwaZulu-Natal tourism destination marketers capitalise on the destination‘s brand attributes that make the destination a strong brand to strengthen its role in South Africa and globally as a cultural and natural destination.

Framing by South African Local Newspapers on Food Security, Community Participation, Empowerment and Mobilization: The Study of Eastern Cape Local Web Newspapers

This paper evaluates how local newspapers frame food security to ensure participation, empowerment, and community mobilization for food securing purposes. The focus is on the web versions of local newspapers in Eastern Cape, South Africa. A qualitative content analysis was used to evaluate the selected local web-based newspapers' content on food security-related stories within July-December 2016. The sample was drawn from two selected local web newspapers: Herald Live and The Talk of the Town. The findings revealed that local newspapers‘ framing of increased agricultural production, local farming, land redistribution, and government‘s financial support help to empower and mobilize individuals and communities to participate in food security initiatives. This paper concludes that local newspapers can be veritable tools to enhance food security channels in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.

Strategies to Mitigate the Influence of Televised Entertainment Programmes using Smart Phones on Youth Deviant Behaviour

This paper seeks to establish strategies that can be used to mitigate the influence of televised entertainment programmes using smartphones on youth deviant behaviour. Televised entertainment programmes using smartphones have become a major means by which young people learn and understand the world around them. To understand the behaviour that young people resort to, we must pay more attention to the influences of the portrayal of deviant behaviour in televised programmes and smartphones in the 21st century. Young people learn how to dress, walk, dance, and talk by copying what is portrayed in selected television programmes while using their smart phone. This paper used qualitative research method. Purpose sampling, semi-structure interview in a focus group was used to collect data from the participants. The study sampled twelve young people from Madonsi village in South Africa to participate in the study and ethical consideration was thought-out. The study revealed that parents should be technologically advanced to be able to block programme contents by using a password for their satellite signal decoder to prevent young people‘s exposure to deviant behaviour on television. Parents should monitor their children‘s smartphones on activities undertaken. The study recommends that National Youth Policy 2020-2030 should address youth media health issues aspect to prevent the influence of media on youth deviant behaviour.